(To be updated as I think of things)
To make things easier, I’ve made an Amazon Wishlist for this blog that eliminates any need to think on your part. You can shower me with gifts here: http://amzn.com/w/2HGZPJFXQ4AST
If you’d like to send something for me or my students, e-mail me (cookiesandthecaucasus (at) gmail (dot) com) and I’ll give you directions for shipping. For digital gifts, just use the e-mail address (or my others, if you know them)!
iTunes downloads:
latest episodes of favorite TV shows:
Parks and Recreation (current)
Bones (current),
The Big Bang Theory (very behind! have only seen through Season 5, Episode 13)
White Collar (have watched through the end of Season 3)
Some new music to add some variety to my listening
For my students and friends:
General Interest Magazines–tourist magazines from my state, The Economist, National Geographic, Mental Floss, and The New Yorker have all been big hits–these are great to read and pass around to friends or acquaintances, and even non-English speakers will be able to appreciate the pictures in the magazines.
Easy-to-Read crime and detective novels
anything about law enforcement around the world
American snacks to share (Cheetos, jerky and peanut brittle have all been popular in the past)
Convenience food for when I’m too tired to cook and have had too much khachapuri
Cookies and The Caucasus 
Hi, I am an ex-pat living in Bristol, UK. My husband and I are traveling to Georgia and I am a serious foodie. Really serious – In a former life, I worked in a couple of restaurants. Now, I’m a Research Fellow at the University of the West of England. Anyway, please can you give me a list of your very favorite Georgian restaurants….. not tourist places or bland or whatever. Thanks so much!
Hi Naomi,
Georgian food is great, but let me give you a few caveats before I give my recommendations 😉 One thing here is that the restaurant industry is still in its infancy, and professionalism is sometimes lacking. Consistency is a big issue. Places that are generally great will have off days and off dishes, so don’t get too discouraged. There are very few really foodie places. That said, simple Georgian food is generally pretty tasty, and definitely something different from what you’ve probably had before!
Classic Georgian:
for khinkali (dumplings): Pasanauri (Griboedov St, just off Rustaveli Avenue)
for lobio (beans): Shkhara (Rustaveli Ave), or Salobie in Mtskheta, just outside Tbilisi
for Adjaran khachapuri: Matchakhela (it’s a chain and touristy, but locals go there, too, because it is the best outside the Adjara region)
for other khachapuri: Ossetian khachapuri (with potato) at Alani (next to the baths)
Maspindzelo (by the baths), do classics (and fries!) well, and have an interesting “Old Georgian” menu
Georgian Pub (outside the center–near the last metro station “Akhmeteli Theatre”)
Foodie Georgian/Modern Georgian/”Fusion” (I haven’t actually been to any of these because they’re much more expensive, but people with trusted taste buds have recommended):
Culinarium/ Cafe Littera (same chef)
Shavi Lomi (“Black Lion”)
Tabla
Azarpesha
Cocktails:
Rooms Hotel Tbilisi
Local Wine:
Vino Underground
+try house wines at whichever other restaurants you visit. Tartine doesn’t serve Georgian food, but the house Saperavi is usually quite good there